Monday, January 19, 2009

Members of the Downers Grove North High School Jazz Bands took their show on the road this past weekend, participating in the 19th Annual Purdue University Jazz Festival. The Purdue festival, which draws outstanding high school jazz programs from Indiana, Michigan and Illinois, began on Friday, January 16 with a concert featuring the Mingus Big Band and continued all day Saturday, January 17 with hundreds of student musicians performing for panels of internationally recognized jazz musicians.

Each of the three jazz ensembles from DGN, the Jazz Ensemble, the Jazz Lab Band, and the Jazz Combo, received Division I recognition in their respective classes. Additionally, the following students were recognized with Outstanding Soloist and Musicianship awards:

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Mr. Scott Ney, Professor of Percussion at the University of New Mexico presented a series of percussion master classes and private lessons on Thursday, January 8th. Thank you Prof. Ney for being with us, and sharing your passion for music!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The 2009 Jazz Cafe, with special guest Mr. Tony Kidonakis, featured the Jefferson Junior High, Herrick Middle, and Downers Grove North High School Jazz Bands. A large crowd packed the DGN Student Cafe, on a snowy Friday night, for a great evening of music.

The "Jazz Cafes" are an annual January series hosted by District 99, and consist of one concert at North High School, and one concert at South High School. Working collaboratively, the Fine Arts Departments at both schools work toward a philanthropic goal by selecting a charity for in-kind donations. The 2009 charity is Potters for Peace (www.pottersforpeace.org). With a mission to bring clean drinking water to impoverished children, Potters for Peace teaches communities in South America the fabrication of a low-cost ceramic water purification system. As a part of this year's Jazz Cafe, visual art students from District 99 donated ceramic bowls for a silent auction which generated hundreds of dollars for the cause.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Well... Not a current band student. We just wanted to get your attention!

Laura Snyder, a 2003 DGN graduate was assigned as one of the R.N.'s that helped deliver and care for Kylie when she was born on Dec. 24th. While it was a bit of a surprise to see her, we were thrilled that she could be a part of this special moment in our lives!

The whole Miller family is doing well and appreciates all your phone calls, messages, and well wishes!